Lt Guv Saxena declares 23 Heritage Sites across Ladakh as Protected Monuments

LEH: The Union Territory Administration of Ladakh has accorded Protected Monument status to 23 heritage sites spread across Leh and Kargil districts following the approval of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, bringing several historically and archaeologically important sites under statutory protection for the first time.

The notification, issued under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, seeks to strengthen the conservation of Ladakh’s cultural and historical assets, many of which have remained vulnerable to deterioration, encroachment and environmental degradation.

The newly protected sites comprise a diverse range of heritage structures and archaeological remains, including petroglyph sites, ancient rock carvings, monasteries, caves, forts and palaces, reflecting Ladakh’s long civilisational history and cultural traditions.

According to the Administration, the notification will provide a legal framework for the systematic preservation, restoration and documentation of these monuments while regulating activities that could threaten their structural integrity or historical authenticity.

Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said Ladakh’s monasteries, forts, caves, petroglyphs and rock carvings represent an enduring record of the region’s civilisational heritage and cultural identity. He said granting them Protected Monument status would establish an institutional framework for scientific conservation, documentation and sustainable management while supporting responsible cultural tourism, academic research and greater public awareness of Ladakh’s historical legacy.

Officials said the statutory protection would enable the Administration to undertake conservation measures, prevent encroachments and preserve the monuments for future generations.

The 23 sites brought under protection include the Petroglyph Site at Sharnos, Maitreya Buddha Rock Carving at Shey near Sindhu Ghat, Tingmosgang Fort, Ancient Caves at Saspol, Petroglyph Sites at Domkhar, Lehdo, Alchi and Murgi, Stongday Gonpa, Meditation Cave of Onpo at Hunder, Hunder Cave, Dechen Tsomo Khar (Fort), Stampuk Cave, Chamba Rock Carving, Zong Chamba (Rock Carving of Maitreya Buddha), Rock-Carved Buddha Statue at Hunder, Rigsum Gonbo Rock Carvings at Diggar, Chamba Karpo (White Maitreya Buddha) at Diggar, Chamba Rock Carving at Tokpo, Diggar, Folong Singey (Boulder-like Lion Face) at Diggar, Sumoor Fort, Rock Inscriptions at Yourbaltak in Kargil, and the Petroglyph Site at Mangmore in Kargil.

The notification is expected to provide renewed impetus to heritage conservation efforts across the Union Territory while strengthening the long-term protection of sites that collectively represent Ladakh’s archaeological, artistic and historical inheritance.